Getting better...

Another beautiful day has dawned and we're breakfasting in the sun again. Yesterday was our best session so far, we travelled over the full course at about 95% intensity, building to the finish. Our boat speed is much improved from our first couple of days and the mood in the crew is significantly better!

In the late afternoon, Annabella and Hugh arrived with a picnic dinner for us (they are amazing!) and we sat by the Thames and watched our competition qualify. A couple of handy crews in our event, but for the most part, they seem beatable if we are on our game. Of course, we have seen nothing of the other 8 crews that have also pre-qualified for our race and you would expect that this is where the serious challenges will come from.

A crowd of around 3 thousand lined the banks last night, just to watch qualifying. A taste of things to come. Following racing, there was a slightly subdued feel to the course as many non-qualified crews packed up and went home. The boat tent (pavilion really - it holds over 500 boat racks), having been full in the morning, is now 1/3 empty again. Presumably, this will continue over the course of the regatta.

This morning, Bingles and Shane have risen early for an appointment with a local boat builder who has fashioned a block for our stroke rigger. We've just had the phone call to say that their mission has been successful! So today we'll have our correct gearing and set up for the first time. The plan is for a long, low intensity row today, similar tomorrow, sharpening up on Monday.

All the crew sends their best to House, hope all is well in Oz, and our new prime minister (that was a shock getting off the plane!), is shaping up well.

Cheers, Drew